On 22 October 2015 the first ECO coin – a coin for nature’s ecology value – was presented symbolically by initiator Koert van Mensvoort from the new Next Nature Network. It was launched at the Now Future Talkshow during Dutch Design Week, for which Koert is an ambassador this year. Next Nature Network is a new nature movement in the Netherlands that does not want to go back, but forward towards nature. Koert presented the coin to Yoyo Yogasmana from the project Age of Wonderland, for his work in Indonesia conserving more than 130 existing rice varieties without any use of insecticides.
ECO coin
After previous buzzed-about projects, including the In Vitro Meat Cookbook, the Rayfish Footwear hoax and the travelling Nano Supermarket, the Next Nature Network will spend next year focusing on the initiation of an ECO coin that expresses the value of nature. Just like other currencies, such as the Dollar, Euro and even the Bitcoin, the ECO coin has a rate of exchange that fluctuates along with the necessity of protecting vulnerable ecologies – like the rain forest or the coral reef.
Next Nature Network
Next Nature Network (NNN) is a new nature movement in the Netherlands, encouraging people to view nature anew and differently. Traditional nature organisations have too romantic an image of unspoilt nature. Next Nature Network believes that we are surrounded by technology to such an extent that it has become our new nature. With stimulating products, publications, exhibitions and events, Next Nature Network wants to not avoid discussions about subjects such as nanotechnology, printed food, living cities and robots, but drive them. From today, it is possible to become a member of the Next Nature Network on www.nextnature.nl; the body of ideas is supported in exchange for a stimulating product.
“Next Nature is a new way of looking at the relationship between people, nature and technology. Traditionally, we see nature and technology as opposites, but we’re living in a time where technology is so omnipresent that it has become new nature”, says initiator Koert van Mensvoort.
The first NNN ambassadors, including astronaut Andre Kuipers, popular philosopher Bas Haring and designer Daan Roosegaarde have already endorsed the Next Nature Network.
Yoyo Yogasmana – Age of Wonderland
Yoyo Yogasmana (Ciptagelar Kasepuhan, Indonesia) is one of the Age of Wonderland creatives. Age of Wonderland is a four-year programme curated by Arne Hendriks by Hivos and Baltan Laboratories together with Dutch Design Week. In this second edition of Age of Wonderland, six creatives ‘hack’ the food system. This is necessary too, because the current food system is not capable of feeding the world population and does not function sustainably. The creatives – from Indonesia, Kyrgisia, Tanzania and Mexico – exchange knowledge with Dutch creative spirits, with specialists and the audience at large. This is done at a series of events, including an exhibition, the ‘future food seminar’, workshops and pop-up (food) labs. The artist Yoyo Yogasmana (1970, Ciptagelar Kasepuhan Community, Indonesia), grows 130 rice varieties and demonstrates how things can be done completely differently. www.ageofwonderland.nl
About Dutch Design Week
Dutch Design Week is taking place in Eindhoven (the Netherlands) from Saturday 17 to Sunday 25 October. With the theme ‘What if…’, DDW honours and emphasises designers’ power of imagination for nine whole days. DDW distinguishes itself from other design events by concentrating on designs for the future. The focus is on experiment, innovation, cross-overs and development of young talent. There are 3 design areas, 100 locations, 2,500 designers and over 380 events. www.ddw.nl